The newspaper seems to be, to me, the last of the tangible written word. I enjoy the paper for many reasons, more recently because I am writing for it and my articles are printed. But I also see the news paper as a daily reminder of our most wonderful asset in America, freedom of speech (and press). It can be found on the benches of local coffee houses, and sometimes in the waiting rooms of local business.
People who don't ordinarily 'take the paper' find themselves reading it when they have a minute to spare and rarely come away less informed. I venture to say that some may be inspired or surprised to learn a new thing, especially about local people or events. When we think of the past we often picture 'dear ole dad' at the table with his coffee and newspaper, like something from a Norman Rockwell painting or the local boy who used to deliver them on his bicycle. For some reason, today, we think of it as out dated due to the internet. Honestly, how many people do you know who sit down at the computer to 'relax' and enjoy the news or a story, really?
It has come to my attention in the last year or so, when discussing recent articles with friends, that many don't 'take the paper'. Many of these people and friends are professionals: psychologists, professors, doctors, pharmacists, counselors and other business owners. I guess I wasn't too surprised to learn that a majority of them don't 'take the paper' as they live in other surrounding areas and so travel to Ogden strictly for work. But that seems to be all the more reason to purchase the local newspaper. I know we all lead busy lives but the newspaper is an inexpensive and convenient way by which one can stay informed about the local people, events and news worthy issues.
It occurred to me, that professionals might want to know more about the people and area in which they are working and benefit from, and I dare say, to some extent they "owe it" to the community from which they glean a livelihood.
If for no other reason but to have it handy, in waiting rooms, at lunch or break time, to share with co-workers and to keep with some semblance of tradition, breaking away from the computer screen.
The newspaper is lasting and effective. It can be read several times throughout the day by many people for different reasons. It doesn't get 'archived' or lost by the click of the mouse and it is findable, tangible, store-able and recyclable, and obviously, readable. It is an example, an easy contribution and a tradition with real meaning.
Many of us buy the paper and several other copies if our child is featured in a local school function, if a close loved one has passed away and we want to have copies of obituaries, but the paper is still so very much more than just tidbits of valuable or even trivial information. We speak of 'no child left behind' and yet, our children rarely see us sit down to open and absorb any tangible form of literature. We say we need to be involved or stay connected but we click through only what interests us on the internet, avoiding other news. That may be convenient but it is not by any means 'staying informed or up to date'.
The newspaper contributes to our local economy, by and through those it features and highlights. Stories of our local community, economy and events keep us connected and responsible for one another (which we are by the way) and the newspaper is the physical tangible way to interact.
The 'professionals' I spoke about in the above are not ignoring the paper, they are very busy serving (healing, teaching, feeding) our local community and I am sure they have not even considered what they are missing. I picture the doctor or professor, even the local pharmacist reading the paper and then leaving it for the other employees, who read and leave it for the patients and clients and so on.
There is much to said for reading about your local community and having a local community reading the same information. It is important, vital even that we are all on the same page when it comes to our 'home' in Ogden.
The internet can enhance or expand our knowledge but it does not teach us about one another or even give the same, dependable and intimate information about the area of which we live and work.
Information is power, but not if those 20 thousand people are trying to 'build' a community with a million different pieces of unrelated information.
Buying, reading and sharing the paper enable, encourage even, thousands of extra people to read and interact. It forces the provider to step up and print more information as well, which encourages local business to advertise! It is a cyclical thing that works for everyone. It allows a community, who otherwise wouldn't be considered a whole, to be a whole on at least one level.
Musgrove lives in Ogden.
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